are my syptoms Multiple Sclerosis?

[chad]

Well my father's b12 level is down to 150's and he eats plenty of meat. In my opinion it's starting to look like a hereditary malabsorption problem.

[jimmylegs]

150, ouch! that's no good regardless of the units (remind me was that in pmol/L, or pg/mL)?

does your dad also eat a lot of bread? dairy? what about sugar and/or alcohol? does he use any antacid products?

on the flip side, how is his intake of salmon? it has four times more b12 per serving than beef.

The Parietal Cell: Mechanism of Acid Secretion
http://arbl.cvmbs.colostate.edu/hbooks/ ... ietal.html
"The key player in acid secretion is a H+/K+ ATPase or "proton pump" located in the cannalicular membrane. This ATPase is magnesium-dependent..."

luckily, parietal cells have high turnover rates:
A focus on parietal cells as a renewing cell population
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2816264/
"Following an average lifespan of about 54 d, in mice, old parietal cells undergo degeneration and elimination."

and that means a possible genetic expression issue has the potential for correction when dietary issues are corrected:
Nutrigenomics & Nutri(epi)genetics
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/583041_2

beyond parietal cells - other systems to consider optimizing:

Human gastric intrinsic factor expression is not restricted to parietal cells.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1167747/
"... intrinsic factor has been localised to various other cell types of foregut origin, including chief and enteroendocrine cells in gastric mucosa, and duct cells from salivary glands and pancreas"

oddly, this is the top result for a scholar search on "gastric intrinsic factor" synthesis mechanism ... interesting though!:
Effect of ethanol-generated free radicals on gastric intrinsic factor and glutathione
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/ar ... 299090077P
"...the gastric metabolism of ethanol generates free radicals which alter IF binding of B-12..."

still hunting for pathway info on GIF secretion processes more later

[chad]

Well I began taking methylcobalamin a week ago. 2500mcg's per day for now, will bump it up to 5000 after I get used to taking it. Will take another blood test in about 2 months and post my results. I found this at Costco in a 300 count bottle for under $20.

I do notice a perk in my energy level and my sense of smell seems to have increased.

[chad]

Well I retested my B12 levels, my blood is running at 1400+! Likely my body isn't absorbing it? Should I push for a tissue test? Any other tests?

Doc also said I was on the borderline of anemia....

[NHE]

Well I retested my B12 levels, my blood is running at 1400+! Likely my body isn't absorbing it? Should I push for a tissue test? Any other tests?

Doc also said I was on the borderline of anemia....

B12 and folate work together. Have you had you folate levels tested? Here's a video from Dr. Benjamin Lynch discussing the folate and B12 methylation cycles.



The test I would recommend is the red blood cell (RBC) folate test is it gives a better picture of your long term folate status. You'll want to stop taking any supplements containing either folate or folic acid for 3-5 days before the blood draw. The standard range for RBC folate is around 500-1500 ng/mL.

Another test to consider is holotranscobalamin as this measures active B12 which is only about 20% of the total serum B12.

In addition, you might want to look at other supplements you might be taking. Some, like EGCG from green tea, inhibit an enzyme involved in processing dietary folate to be used in the body. This can drive methylfolate levels down inhibiting the remethylation of cobalamin and ultimately driving B12 levels down.

[chad]

Thanks for the reply! The only supplements I take are the methylcobalamin and papaya enzyme (kicked the Tums routine with this stuff) for heartburn. I had my folate tested at the same time as my initial b12 test. It came back within the normal range. I'll bring up the tests you mentioned next time I see the doctor, thanks!

[chad]

Jimmylegs! I have an update what cha think?

[jimmylegs]

fill us in! (or are you referring to the feb 5 post?)

[chad]

Yes sir. I was curious on your take on the high level

[jimmylegs]

ok quick question then, how much methylcobalamin have you been taking daily? still 5000?
also, do you have the specific results that had your doc suggesting anemia?